Internal-combustion engine



Jan. 13, 1931. A. M. NIVEN 1,788,930

INTERNAL COi/IBUSTION ENGINE Filed April 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I ATTORNEY.

Jan. 13, 1931. N|VEN 1,788,930

INTERNAL COMBUS TION ENGINE Filed April 6, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I N V EN TOR. 147 63114 J/acpZm/ Mren ATTORNEY.

p v ARCHIE 'MACPHAIL inventor DETROIT,

Patented Jan. 13, 1931 UNITED STATES.

mrcnrea rfnssreiro'ia r CONTINENTAL Morons CORPORATION, or nn'raorr; MICHIGAN; afooai ona'rron O V I RGI NI INTERNALLCOMBUSTION V ENGINE V Application filed April 6, 1928. Serial no jaevgzb;

This invention relates to internal combustion engines and refers more particularly to animproved valveshaft and val-veshaft bearing constructionfor operating" the; valve mechanismof multl-cyhnder engines. For purposes of illustrating my invention 1 have shown myimprovements in connection with,-

an engineof the sleeve valve type, V

;My invention has :particular' reference toengine constructions in which the valveshaft bearing bosses or housings are solidas by casting the same with the crankcase struc-j V -ture,' in contrast withsplit valveshaft bear- 'struction itis apparent that the valveshaf j 'mg housings havlng a separate cap. v The former generally well known type of valveshaft bearlng housings is preferable .-f 0r boringbar.- and;.- machining of the :housing cylindrical openings. In this typeocon must be assembled axially through the bear-i ing-housingsfwith the result that the "valveshaft bearinghousings are usually of large diameter in order to clear the valveshaft cranks or other actuators. This gl-ves r seto' undesirably'high rubbing speedsat the run-, 7 V ning surfaces of the valveshaftand housings "therefor. It is an objector my invention to prov de a construction of the aforesa d general character' n which at least certain of the valvesliaft bearingsmay be appre- V valveshaftand bearing llOLlSlIl construction in. which the valveshaftaxis maybe located closer than usual to the cylinders, an advanciably reduced indiameter materially reducing the rubbing speed with consequentbetter bearing wearing qualities, longer engine l fe, and a general saving in mater1'al;;.:A

further object or my inventionresides ina tage derived reason of the relatively redu ced'valveshaft bearing diameters and or. considerable,importance; and advantage" where the'valveshaft drives one, or'gmore sleeve valves. or the like.= Thuslthedriving distance may be reduced'by reason of'myim tention affording iamore positive; andga stronger drive.

Further ob ects and advantages-oimy i v "vention will be apparent'from' the following illustrative description andappended claims. 7 Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Fig.1 is-a sectional elevation view through I a typical cylinder of the sleeve valvetype,

Fig. 2 isfa plan viewlooking upwardly toward the lower endsofthe 'sleevevalve'sj, the 'valveshaft bearing housings beingshown" insectiOn and a 1 a :Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged odetail iviews at right angles with each other illustrating 'a' modified v'alvesliaft crank'construction; Q 7 In the, drawings, referencecharacter A represents the cylinder'b-lock having a plurality .ofcylinders 10- suitably. ported for intake, and eXhaustat -11 andlQ respectively.

FigfLillustrates' my invention in connection with an 1 engine of the singlesleeve valve Burt-McCollum type-in which. a ported the engine. 14: r is the usual-cylinder head sleeve valve l3 'foreach cylinder has a com; I bined reciprocating,- and oscillating move;- mentincontrolling the valving function'so-f and l 5theusua1 pistonoperating'the cranlr;

ment to the sleeves; I haveprovided a valve shaft 'B: driven; in the customary manner from theijcrankshaftl This. valveshaft ex tends parallel toltheZcrankshaft} 1 6 and" to 7 one side ofth e sleeves-113 and is formed at intervals; with cranks 17:; Links, 18'- are pivotallyconnected at" 19Qtor the'respective; sleeve valves andoperate between sleeve ears 20,521

which restrainthe linkswto occupy successive parallel positions, the links .18 being driven immihe ;r espective cranks -17 preferably 'shaftglfi For'impartingthedesiredimove a through a connection formed by link sockets 22 and crank balls 23. r

These housingsare cylindrieally bored pref erablywith diameters decreasing rearwardly" and'are preferably lined with, some bearing withl babbit 40 forming bearingsurfaces" journalling the valveshaftbearings. Thus.

material which has a runningfit" with the corresponding valveshaft; bearings 28, 29

30 and 31'. Thus the bearing housings may be respectively fitted with bushings 32, 33, 38, 39 which in turn may, if desired, be lined the valveshaft bearings 28, 29, 30, 31 -are journalled in valveshaft bearing housing structures havingcylindri'cal bearing surfaces 01 diameters 41, 42, 43, 44 respectively.

The rear housing of diameter 44 presents no difficulties in assembling the valveshaft since it is usually relatively small compared to the diameters of the other bearing housings, andsince the bearing 31 is fitted without first requiring passage of any of the cranks 17 through the diameter 44.

However in fitting the intermediate bear-' ings'29, 3O Within the diameters 42,43 it is apparent that the cranks to the right of any 'su'ch'bearing must first lie passed throughthe housing for th'e'particular bear mg under j consideration. This is true be cause the'valv'eshaft must be assembled by threading thesame from left to" right through the bearing housing openings; Now with this in mind I desirerto pointout that 7 heretoforeithas been deemed necessary to have the diameters 42, 43 at least as great as theimaximum projected diameter of the I .valveshaft portions which -mustbe passed therethrough, resulting in j ob-jectionably large diameter valveshaft bearings'and con sequent high rubbing speeds. Thus, fo'r il:

' lustration, the diameter 444 represents the fprojected diameter of the circle traced by the outermost; points of the crank balls23,

and it is apparent that any housing diameter at least equal to 444 (or slightly greaterthan 444; for clearance) will freely 'permit axial movement of thevalvesliat't therethrough.

I have discovered, however, that the diame- V ters 42, 43 may i be .madeappreciably and considerabl'yless than the diameter 444 and when so formed-thevalveshaft may be assembl'ed -by-' threading the same axially through the housing openings andby tilting the axis of the valveshaft is brought closer intermediate bearings still further,jI may 'ing theconstruction illustrated. in Figs. 3'

the valveshaft as required to clear the cranks 17 This assembly is'facilitated by making the forward housing 24 of a diameter greater than the diameter 44 by an amount sufficient to permit the aforesaid assembly of the valveshaft, the bushing 32 in the case of this forward housing being inserted after assembly of the valveshaft.

-As a further advantage of my invention to the sleeve valves, thus providing a more compact, more dlrect, andstronger drivmg mechanism.

and 4. A consequent further reduction in bearing speeds and closer positioning of the valveshaftaxis to the sleeves would be obtained Ifind it convenient in removing the crank ball portions 45 to rotate the'valve shaft on its axial center's, a suitable cutterbeing brought into contact with the. crank ball ends for removing the material 45 r'esulting' in-a circumferential flattened ball end 46. In Figs. 3 and 4 the removal of the portio1r45 somewhat reduces the bearing area of the ball andjso'cket connection for links lS'but the ball area in the vicinityof the surface 46 is efl ectivefor theinost part only during the oscillating componentofthe 1a; associated sleeve valve in one direction and not the reciprocating component of the sleeve-movement, the resistance to oscillation being materially less'than the resistance to reciprocation. Consequently 1 the loss in "bearingarea'at the ball and socket would not ties of this mechanism.

NVhat I clalm as my invention is: v

1; I'n*an1nternal' combustion englne hay bedetrimental to thedesired-wearingqualr jinga plurality of cylinder-sand associated 'valv'e' operatingmechanisms, a valveshaft non-split type having-openings respectively JOurna-lhng the valve'shaft'bearmgs, the diameter of the valveshaft intermediate bear 'ingjbeing less-than the diameter of a circle traced bythe outermost points or said actuators, said valveshaft being adapted for :as-

sembly while the said intermediate bearing j iousing structure isin its operative position.

2. .In an internal combustion "engine hm i-ng aplurality of cylinders and associated valve operating i mechanisms, a valveshaft extending longitudinally ofthe engine,- actuators spaced long tudinally.ofgsaid valveQ shaft for respectively factuatingthe valve f operating mechanismfor said cy1inders, said valveshaft having end bearings and one'or more intermediate bearings,-bearing housing strnctures of the non-*splittype having openings respectively journalling the valveshaft bearings, the diameter of the valveshaft intermediate bearing being lessgthan the di- 7 ameter of a circletracedby' the outermost points of said actuators, the openingsof a valve-operating nechanismslfor said cylin- I ders', .said valyeshaft having,intermediate and 'end bearings,b'ear1ng housing structures having openings respectively journalling the valveshait bearings, the diameter of the valveshaftiintermediatebearing being. less than thediameter of circle traced by the outermost'points of said actuators, said valveshaft being "adapted for assembly While the said intermediate bearing housing structure is in its; operative position. 7

. l. in an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders and associated valve operating mechanisms; a valve'shaft extei' dingjlongitud' lly of said valveshaft for respectively actuating; the valve. operat- .ing .inechanisms for said gcylinders, said alveshaft @having" intermediate ,and end bearings, bearing housing structures of the non-split typehaving openings v-respectn ely.

' journalling thevalveshaft bearings, the di f ing plurality vo t-cylinders and associated operating. mechanisms ameter of the valveshai't intermediate bear ing being less than the diameter of a circle traced by the outermost points of said actuators thereby providing agrelatively small rubbin speed of the said intermediate bearing inits housing structnrc' said 'valvesha-it beingadapted for assembly {While the, said intermediate bearing housing 7 structure; is

in its operative position;

5 In an internal combnst1o1r'engine havvalve operating ,mechanisms', a valveshaitt extendin lon itudinall of; the en ine 7 I i v o .i a: a

cranks spaced longitudinally; ofrsaid valve-w shaft for respectively,actuat' g-the lvalve for? said linders;

said valveshaft having intermediate and end bearings bearing housing structures'iof the non-split typehaving openings respectively journalling. the valveshaft bearings,'-the diameter of the valveshaft intermediate hearing being less: thanthe diameter of a circle traced by the outermost pointsof-wsaid" cranks, sai d1 valveshaft being adapted foriassembly While the: said intermediate bearing housnig structure is in its operativeposition.

,6; In an internal combustion enginefhav extending longitudinally of the engine, 5 ball cranks spaced "longitudinally of said 'valveshaft :for' respectively actuating the valve operating :inechanisms for said cylinders,

said valveshaftihaving intermediate and end 7' bearings, bearing housing structures of the non-split type having -openings respectively journailling the valveshaft bearings,-t'he diameter .oi' 'the' valveshaft intermediate hearing being less than the diameter ofra circle traced by the outermost .points' of saidi'ball cranks, saidwvalveshaft being adapted for.

ing a'plurality ofcylinders andassociated Y valve operating mechanisms, a valveshaft assembly while thesaid'intermediate' bear in'g' housing structure sitionha, l I: i

7 In an internal combustioni;engine'hai ing a plurality ofcylinders andassociated valve operating. mechanisms, a. valveshai't extending longitudinally of the engine, ball cranks spaced longitudinally of said valveshaft: for respectively actuating. the valve operating mechanisms", for said: cylinders,

said valveshaft having intermediategand' end bearings,-.bearing iousing structuresi'having openings respectively ournallingi the valveshaitbearings, the diameter of the'valveshaftintermediate :bearing' less than the diameter ofa'aicircle traced bythe; outermost points of saidballv cranks,-said valveshaft bem 'ada ted vfor as embl While-the said intermediate bearing housing; structure 15 in its operative position; V 7

e8; In. an internal combustion engine hav ving a plurality ofcylinders and associated. valve :Toperating unechanisms, a' valveshaft extending: longitudinallylof the engine, ball cranks spaced longitudii'ially of said valve iSfiIl its operative-pd shaft for respectively actuating thenalve' operating) mechanisms for said cylinders, said valveshaft: havlng intermediate and end:

b'earings,- bearing housing structures of the I 'lZO non-split typehaving openings respectively 'ournallrng thervalveshaft bear ngs, the d ameter of the valveshatt ntermediate bearing; being less than thediameter'oi a'cir'cle l' traced by the outermost points of said" ball cranks, therebyproviding a relatively small rubbing speed of the said intermediate b8%11'-{ ingein its ho'usingstructure, said valveshatt being adapted ior assembly While the said its, operativ'eg position.-

intermediateybearing housing structure'is in shaft having intermediate and a 9. In an internal combustionrengine him ing a plurality of cylinders,ia sleeve valve typehaving openings respectively journal-c lingthe valveshaft bearings, the diameter of the valveshaft intermediate bearing-being less than the diameter of acircle traced by the outermost points of saidball cranks, said valveshaft being adapted for assembly While the said intermediate bearing housingstruc tu'reiis in its operative position. 7 T

10. In an internal combustion'engine having a plurality of cylinders, a sleeve valve associated With each of said cylinders, a valveshaft extending longitudinally of the engine having ball cranks spaced longitudinally thereof, links connecting the respective ballcranks'and sleeve valves for imparting to the sleeves a combined reciprocating and oscillating movement, said valveshaft. having intermediate and end bearings, bearing housing structuresof the non-split type having openings respectively journalling the valveshaftbearings, the di ameter of the valveshaft intermediate-bearing being less than the diameter of a circle traced by the outermost points of said ball cranks, the openings of a plurality of said housing structures decreasing progressively- Y in diameter toward one end of the valveshaft, said valveshaftbeing adapted for assembly while the said intermediate bearing housing structure is 1n its operatlve pOSllHOIL' 11. In an internal combustion engine hav-; ing a plurality of'cylinders and associated valveoperating mechanisms, a valveshaft extending longitudinally of the} engine, ball cranks spaced longitudi'nallyof said valveshaft for respectively actuating'the valve. operating mechanisms for said cylinders, said valveshaft having intermediate and end bearings, bearing housing structures of the non-split type'having openings respectively 7 extending longtiudinally of. the engine, b all-' cranks spaced longitudinally of said valveshaft for respectively actuating the valve cranks, theouter portion of one journalling the valveshaft bearings, the diameter of the valveshaft intermediate bearing beingless than the diameter of'a circle traced byf-the outermost points of saidball of said-ball cranks'being cut awayQ e 5 12. In an internal combustion engine hav inga plurality of cylinders andlass ociated valve operating mechanisms, a' valveshaft operating mechanisms;v for said' cylinders, said valveshaft having interme'dlate 'and end engine having ball ball cranks,

associated. "witlreacli ofsaid cylinders, a

valveshaft extending longitudinally of the engine having ball cranks spaced longitudinally thereof and having bearing portions adapted. for assembly with a fixed intermediate. bearing housing'structure, links connecting the respective ball cranks and sleeve valves, the outer portion of one of said ball cranks being cut away to reduce the diameter of a circle traced by said ball cranks thereby permitting the assembly of said valveshaft with an intermediate bearing housing struc ture of minimum diameter. 1

14. In an internal combustion engine having a plurality ofcylinders, a sleeve valve associated witheach of said cylinders, a valveshaft extending longitudinally of the engine having ball cranks spaced longitudinally thereof and having bearing portions adapted for assembly with a fixed interme diate bearing housing structure, links connecting 'the'respective ball cranks and the outer portion of one of said ball cranks having substantially flattened surface to reduce the diameter of a circle traced by said ball cranks thereby permitting the assembly of saidvalveshaft with an intermediate bearing housing structure of minimum diameter. "15. In an internal combustion engine having a plurality of cylinders, a sleeve valve associated with each of said cylinders, a valveshaft extendinglongitudinally of the cranks spaced longit-udinally thereof, links connecting the respective ball cranks and sleeve valves,,for imparting to the sleeves a combined reciprocating and oscillating movenient, said'valveshaft hav- I ing'intermediate and end bearings, bearing housing structures having openings respectively journalling the valveshaft bearings, the' diameterof the valveshaft intermediate bearing being lessthan the diameter of a circle traced by the outermost points of said said valveshaft being adapted for assembly while the said intermediate,

bearing housing structure is in its operative position.

ing a plurality of cylinders, a sleeve valve 16. In an internal combustion engine h avengine having ball cranks spaced longitu'din'al'lyithereof, links connecting the respective ball cranks and sleeve valves, said valveshaft messed having openings respectively j ournalling the valveshaft jbearings, the diameter .of the valveshaft intermediate bearing being less than the diameter of a circle traced by the outermost points of said ball cranks, said valveshaft being adapted for assembly while I the said intermediate bearing housing structure is in, its operative position.

In W tness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day ofeMarch, A." D.

ARCHIE MACPHAIL'NIVENT 

